Tier 2 – The Shadows of Glimmerdale (1)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant kingdom of Eldoria, where magic flows like a river and the skies shimmer with the colors of the arcane, a peculiar disturbance has caught the attention of the local authorities. The once-peaceful town of Glimmerdale, nestled between the Whispering Woods and the Crystal Lake, has been plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances. Villagers whisper of shadowy figures lurking in the moonlight, and the air is thick with fear.

As the party arrives in Glimmerdale, they are greeted by a frantic town guard, who explains that several townsfolk have vanished without a trace. The last known location of the missing individuals was the old, abandoned manor on the outskirts of town, rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a long-dead sorceress. The townsfolk are too frightened to approach the manor, fearing the dark magic that is said to linger within its walls.

**Adventure Hook:**

The party is tasked with investigating the manor and uncovering the truth behind the disappearances. They must gather information from the townsfolk, who provide various rumors and tales about the sorceress and her tragic fate. Some claim she was betrayed by her own kin, while others believe she guards a powerful artifact that can grant unimaginable power.

**Exploration Component:**

As the party approaches the manor, they are greeted by an eerie silence. The once-grand structure is overgrown with vines, and the windows are shattered, giving it an ominous appearance. Inside, the air is thick with dust, and the faint glow of magical runes illuminates the dark corners. The party must navigate through the manor, solving puzzles and avoiding traps set by the sorceress to protect her secrets.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As the party delves deeper into the manor, they encounter the source of the disturbances: a corrupted spirit of the sorceress, twisted by her desire for revenge against those who wronged her. The spirit manifests as a shadowy figure, wielding dark magic and summoning spectral minions to do her bidding.

**Boss Enemy: The Corrupted Sorceress**

– **HP:** 80

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Bolt (ranged spell attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Spectral Minions (summons 2d4 spectral minions to fight alongside her)

– **Legendary Action:** Ethereal Shift (can teleport to an unoccupied space within 30 feet)

**Conclusion:**

To defeat the corrupted sorceress, the party must find a way to break the curse that binds her to this world. They may discover a hidden chamber containing the artifact she once sought to protect, which holds the key to her redemption. By confronting her with the truth of her past, the party can either vanquish her or help her find peace, ultimately deciding the fate of Glimmerdale and its missing inhabitants.

As the adventure unfolds, the players will experience the thrill of exploration, the tension of combat, and the satisfaction of unraveling a tragic tale woven into the very fabric of Eldoria. Will they restore peace to Glimmerdale, or will the shadows claim them as well? The choice is theirs.